How to Fish in Rust - Complete Guide for PC and Console
Table of Contents
Learning how to fish in Rust is more than just a relaxing pastime—it’s an effective strategy for gathering resources, food, and even some uncommon treasures. For players who appreciate mixing intense gameplay with calmer moments, fishing offers the perfect balance. After all, what better way to unwind than casting a line after an intense raid?
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about how to fish in Rust PC and console, from essential basics to expert strategies. Once you master these techniques, you’ll wish you’d started fishing earlier.
Step 1: Get the Fishing Rod
The first requirement for how to catch fish in Rust is obtaining a fishing rod. The crafting requirements are minimal and straightforward:
- 200 wood
- 3 cloth
Crafting the rod is as simple as any other item in the game. Navigate to your crafting menu, locate the fishing rod blueprint, and begin crafting. The process takes just moments, and you’ll be ready to start your fishing adventure.
Step 2: Find the Right Fishing Spot
While it might seem logical to fish anywhere with water, that’s not quite how it works. From my experience, the most productive fishing spots are in rivers, lakes, and along the ocean coastline. Look for quieter areas away from heavy player traffic.
Nothing’s worse than having your peaceful fishing session interrupted by an unexpected attack.
If you’re near your base or a secluded river, you’re in an ideal position. Otherwise, stay cautious and use natural cover to remain hidden.
Pro Tip: Taking a boat out to sea for fishing is a viable strategy, offering better safety from other players.
Step 3: Bait Your Hook
When learning how to fish in Rust console or PC, understanding bait selection is crucial. Here are your main bait options:
- Raw fish: After your first catch, use it as bait to attract larger fish.
- Meat: Raw chicken, pork, or bear meat works, though with lower success rates.
- Insects: Worms and grubs serve as effective bait options.
Raw fish has consistently given me the best results, but when starting out, any available bait will do.
To use bait:
- Right-click your fishing rod.
- Select “Bait”.
- Attach your chosen bait to the hook.
Now you’re prepared to cast!
Step 4: Casting Your Line
Casting your line is straightforward—aim at the water and press the left mouse button. Holding down the button allows for longer casts.
The casting distance doesn’t significantly impact your chances of catching fish.
After casting, a bobber will float on the water’s surface. Keep your eyes on it. When it starts to move or sink, that’s your signal that a fish is interested.
Step 5: Reel It In
This is the most exciting part—landing your catch. When the bobber moves:
- Hold the right mouse button to reel in.
- Maintain proper line tension:
- A slack line means losing your catch.
- Aggressive reeling risks breaking your line.
The key is balance. Alternate between short reels and brief pauses. With time, this becomes instinctive.
Step 6: What You Can Catch
Fishing in Rust rewards you with a variety of catches:
- Small Trout: Common, good for sustenance or bait.
- Large Trout: More valuable, ideal for food or trade.
- Catfish: Harder to catch, high resource yield.
- Rare Finds: Occasionally snag scrap, weapons, or other valuables.
Step 7: Cooking and Eating
After a successful session:
- Use a campfire or barbecue.
- Place the raw fish in the cooking slot.
- Wait a few moments until it’s cooked.
Cooked fish provide excellent nutrition and healing.
Pro Tip: Visit the Fishing Village Outpost to trade fish for scrap—a great way to gather resources.
Step 8: Stay Safe While Fishing
Even during fishing, Rust remains dangerous. Tips for safety:
- Avoid fishing near busy areas.
- Use natural cover or go fishing at night to stay hidden.
- If fishing at night, be sure to bring enough resources to stay warm.
Final Thoughts: Is Fishing Worth It?
Speaking from experience, while fishing isn’t the most efficient way to gather resources or food, it offers a relaxing, low-risk alternative. It’s perfect for when you need a break from the chaos—and who knows, you might just reel in something extraordinary.
